Knight Foundation Donating $3 Million to Connect2Compete

Connect2Compete (C2C), the cable operator-backed public-privatepartnership for broadband deployment and adoption to low-income households, isgetting a $3 million infusion from the Knight Foundation.

C2C waslaunched by the FCC last November, expandingon Comcast's Internet Essentials model of providing low-cost broadband --$9.95 a month -- digital literacy education and a low-cost computer to everyhome with a school-age child who qualifies for the nation's free-lunch program.

C2C had a three-year goal of raising $20 million to helpprovide those computers, access and training, and is now over a third of theway there including a $3 million donation from the foundation of Mexicantelecommunications entrepreneur CarlosSlim in May. The Slim donation is to help fund a digital literacy adcampaign in conjunction with the Ad Council, which produces and distributes PSAsby putting together donated creative with donated ad time from broadcasters,cable operators and others.

"Low-income and minority Americans disproportionately findthemselves on the wrong side of the digital divide - excluded from the $8trillion digital economy and all of its benefits. So it is extremelygratifying to have the long-term support of the Knight Foundation to bridgethat divide," said C2C CEO Zach Leverenz in a statement.

C2C is in the process of launching a national pilot programin almost 1,000 communities in 22 states.

The White House and FCC are pushing for universal broadbandadoption as government services, education, health care, entertainment aremoving online.

Broadcasting & Cable Newsletter

The television industry's top news stories, analysis and blogs of the day.

Thank you for signing up to Next TV. You will receive a verification email shortly.

There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.

No spam, we promise. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details without your permission.